Nano cory

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep nano cories in a group of eight or more over smooth, fine sand in soft, acidic water around 22 to 26 C. They suit a small, calm tank with tiny tankmates and gentle filtration. Feed small sinking foods such as micro pellets, crushed flake and frozen cyclops.

In the wild

The nano cory lives in small, soft, slightly acidic streams of the central Amazon. It forages over fine sand and leaf litter in slow, shaded water. Being tiny, it stays close to cover in groups.

Good to know

This is one of the smallest cories, reaching only around 3.5 cm. A single arched dark stripe runs along the upper flank, and unlike some lookalikes it does not pass through the eye. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Gastrodermus as Gastrodermus gracilis.

Did you know

At around 3.5 cm, the nano cory is one of the smallest members of the whole group and stays well hidden without a proper school.

Related species

• 

  Barred-tail cory

  Corydoras cochui

  1.4 in (3.5 cm)13 gal (50 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)

• 

  Salt and pepper cory

  Corydoras habrosus

  1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
• Reynolds's cory

  Corydoras reynoldsi

  1.4 in (3.5 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Pygmy cory

  Corydoras pygmaeus

  1.3 in (3.3 cm)13 gal (50 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Dwarf cory

  Corydoras hastatus

  1.3 in (3.2 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
• Evelyn's cory

  Corydoras evelynae

  1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)